Thursdays at Orange Blossom House in Aussie Readers

Aug 13, 2021 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, own-read, 2021-release, reviewing-by-request, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, 5000-2021, contemporary-fiction

It was 1993 in Cairns, Far North Queensland and seventy-four-year-old Grace Maud had finally left her cane farm in the hands of her son Tom and his wife Viv. The three of them had been living on the property since Tom and Viv returned from the city to help with the running of the farm. Now in a small cottage in Cairns, Grace Maud felt lonely. Patricia had just returned from the city after living and working there for some years. Now her mother was drifting deeper into dementia, her father couldn It was 1993 in Cairns, Far North Queensland and seventy-four-year-old Grace Maud had finally left her cane farm in the hands of her son Tom and his wife Viv. The three of them had been living on the property since Tom and Viv returned from the city to help with the running of the farm. Now in a small cottage in Cairns, Grace Maud felt lonely. Patricia had just returned from the city after living and working there for some years. Now her mother was drifting deeper into dementia, her father couldn’t care for her on his own, and her siblings and their families weren’t interested. Because Patricia was still single, it fell to her to do the caring. And Dorothy was desperate for a child and after two miscarriages, wondered if she and Frederick would ever be parents. Their café was doing well, but there was a hole in their lives without the child they dreamed of.

Orange Blossom House, tucked in the fronds of the rainforest, beckoned. And when the three women who hadn’t met before, found themselves persuaded to go to yoga classes, their friendship was gradual but strong. The classes, run by Frenchwoman Sandrine, opened them up, gave them peace and ease of mind to sort through their churning thoughts. It was hard though and included many laughs, a few tears and formed a companionship that would not break. Three very different women would help one another to find what they needed to make their way forward.

Thursdays at Orange Blossom House is another winner by Aussie author Sophie Green! Heartfelt and emotional, poignant and fulfilling, this novel is an exceptional read. I loved Grace Maud’s character with her dry humour, her straight to the point words and her caring manner. Dorothy and Patricia both played their parts well and I could empathise with Patricia as she cared for her parents and worked as a schoolteacher; with Dorothy as she struggled to find a way forward. Thursdays at Orange Blossom House gets full marks from me, and I recommend it highly.

With thanks to Hachette Australia for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
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Jul 26, 2021 Helen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copy-from-publisher

This is another beautiful story from the pen of Sophie Green, beautifully written it is about friendship, discovering who you are and moving on making changes where they are needed all with the help of yoga at Orange Blossom House, this story is real and honest so beautifully written and in such a lovely location Cairns in northern Queensland, I do hope you come along for the journey and get to know Grace Maud, Patricia and Dorothy.

1993 Grace Maud is a retired cane farmer living alone in Cairns This is another beautiful story from the pen of Sophie Green, beautifully written it is about friendship, discovering who you are and moving on making changes where they are needed all with the help of yoga at Orange Blossom House, this story is real and honest so beautifully written and in such a lovely location Cairns in northern Queensland, I do hope you come along for the journey and get to know Grace Maud, Patricia and Dorothy.

1993 Grace Maud is a retired cane farmer living alone in Cairns with her son Tom running the farm these day, yes her body is a bit stiff these days but is still strong when it is suggested that a bit of yoga may help her.

Patricia is a high school English teacher at the local school she lives at home caring for her aging parents as her older siblings are all too busy to help, with a shoulder that is a bit stiff another teacher suggests coming to yoga with her to help with that.

Dorothy happily married to Fredrick they run a café in town and desperately want a baby but with three miscarriages it is not looking good, should they try with help from medical procedures when Dorothy discovers yoga at Orange Blossom House.

Sandrine is French and runs her yoga classes from her home Orange Blossom House all are welcome and she seems to know each student well and can help in so many ways she teaches them breathing and poses none of which any of them ever dreamed of doing.

This story goes over two years and brings together three woman from different backgrounds they are different ages and sees them form a strong and binding friendship through yoga they learn to open up like they have never done before, leave the past behind and look to the future with happiness and joy. I loved this book from start to finish, it is emotional, fun and moving. I smiled and cheered them on through their journey of finding themselves, I do highly recommend this one, a fabulous read that is sure to leave you feeling very uplifted at the end and maybe even looking for a yoga studio. Congratulations Sophie Green on another keeper your characters are strong and so real and I loved getting to know them.

My thanks to Hachette AU for my copy to read and review. ...more

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Nov 04, 2021 Catsalive rated it really liked it

Shelves: aww, 2021

A very enjoyable tale. Grace Maud is a great character - strong & believable - & the supporting cast is interesting. It makes me want to take up yoga - maybe I'm getting cosmic messages because it's come up in several of the books I've read recently. ...more

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